Children in their natural state.........oblivion.

Field trips are a wonderful thing. Kids get to be outdoors in the fresh air experiencing new and wondrous things. As for the teachers and their aids/volunteer parents, they get to converse about other things besides school in a more comfortable atmosphere. Sounds good, right?

Wrong.

It never goes the way you expect. Oh, no. The volunteers get assigned certain kids to keep an eye on while on the field trip. It is their responsibility to keep them in line and together, making sure they pay attention to what the field trip is all about and out of trouble. Seems easy enough. NOT! In my group I had 6 kids, my hubby had 6 kids and the teacher had 7. Of course, to make things really interesting, each group had a problem child. I had the one that has been indulged all her life and doesn't understand why she can't always get her way. My hubby had one that was constantly needing to be separated from another, loud, and always tending to cause trouble. The teacher had the rest of the kids who were "antsy".....lol. Of course, they all played off each other's personality and quirks to make it a very eventful outing.

It's over now, so I can look back and laugh at it. LOL! Next year will be the Salmon Festival field trip. I am looking forward to that........a 1/2 hour bus ride to another town each way.......yay.

Fall is in the air

Warm sweaters, snuggly socks, blustery days, red/yellow/orange leaves.......Fall is in the air. One of my favorite times of the year. I love the smell of the crisp wind and seeing the changes that nature brings. It's invigorating! When I was up on the mountain for our Women's Retreat I was surrounded by it all. What a wonderful thing. (Btw, I had a great time.) I am looking forward to all the leaves in my yard swirling around as the wind blows through. Ah, bliss!

A little Daddy/Daughter time

While I am away this weekend, my hubby is planning special things to do with our daughter. It will start with asking her what she wants for dinner and, if it is reasonable, having that. Then they will go to the store and pick out ANY kind of ice cream, for dessert, that she wants. They plan on "camping out" in the living room for the night.

The next day a trip to the park is planned, and who knows, even a 1/2 price drink at Sonics between 2-4pm on the way back.

There will probably be other little things as well, so it should be an enjoyable weekend for all.

And on top of that...

Aunt Flo is a bitch! She is rude and conniving......and very inconvenient! *sighs* So, on top of my cold I have to deal with her for this weekend. I guess no hot tub for me......*pouts* As if I would get into a bathing suit in front of those ladies, anyway.

What is funny is that this exact same situation happened last year at the first Women's Retreat, sans cold. I hope they move next year's retreat back or ahead a week......LOL! Menopause........where are you!!!

*Cough, cough, sniff, sniff...*

UGH! I hate being sick. School just started and already Emma has the sniffles and I have a sore throat and stuffy nose. I love kids and their millions of shared germs. The sore throat is the worst. Not very many things can be done about that, especially at night when you are trying to sleep. Sucking on a cough drop and sleeping doesn't mix very well. You either choke on the damn thing, or you wake up the next morning with it stuck to the inside of your cheek leaving a rough/raw spot that just feels wrong.

And why do colds always hit when you have somewhere to go within a few days of getting one? I might have to resort to bathing in orange juice and being hopped up on meds to kick this thing before I have to leave for our church's Women's Retreat this weekend.

My baby is growing up...

*sighs* It makes your heart soar and break, all at the same time. Little ones getting dressed in their best school outfit, with their hair all done perfectly, trotting off down the sidewalk, and entering into the big doors to start their next journey of school.

Emma was soooooo excited for school to start. When we hugged her yesterday she was all atremble, just vibrating with excited energy. She loves school. We are so lucky in that.

I got up about 6am and started water to boil for my cup of tea and then silently crept into Emma's room. She looked to peaceful lying there with the covers to her chin and one of her soft stuffed bears tucked in with her. I kissed her cheek and heard her first deep breath of waking up. I quietly asked her if I needed to tickle her to wake up and she silently nodded her head yes......lol. This is how I usually wake her up on a school day. It starts the day with laughter and sets the mood for a good day. She finally got up and ate her breakfast, which was followed by getting dressed and then brushing her teeth. While Emma was busy doing these things I was able to get some milk and sugar into my tea.....lol. Hair was the final thing to do. Pigtails. She is so cute in pigtails...........

It was 45 degrees out when we got to school. Since she is going into 2nd grade she will be in a different wing of the school and therefor a new entrance. We got out and walked to the doors to wait with all the other new 2nd graders. Emma insisted on carrying all her new school supplies. No help from mommy and daddy. *sniffs* When they let us into the classroom she had already found a desk for herself and was following the directions that her new teacher was telling all the students. It was like we weren't even there. Once things were settled the teacher informed the parents that it was time for them to go so the class could start their first day. She told the kids to give their moms and dads a kiss and hug and to return to their seats. Emma did this and completely dismissed us from her mind. *sniff sniff* The day had begun.

I am typing this as the time draws near to go and pick her up from her first 2nd grade school day. I am excited to hear what all they did, what new friends she made, and what is planned for the school year. I plan on volunteering my time each week in her class. It is very rewarding (and a good way to keep an eye on who she becomes friends with....lol). I have high hopes for this school year. Her reading will continue to soar (she's at a 3rd grade reading level) and hopefully other subjects as well.

So, for now I will bid you "adieu" for now. I have 5 minutes till I need to leave and I still need to wake my hubby up. (When we got back home we layed back down to sleep...........getting up early sucks......LMAO!)